Commanders scrambling to cover for Bobby Wagner’s glaring weakness

In many ways, this 69-yard catch and run shouldn't surprise too many people. It's inevitable that Wagner, in his 13th season, won't match Robinson stride for stride, but the design of the play reveals a deeper worry for the Commanders.

As Matt Bowen from ESPN detailed, the Falcons had a plan to get Wagner lost in traffic. Sending receivers across his face achieved that goal, but the whole concept was designed to isolate the second-level enforcer against Robinson.

The implication is obvious. Teams know Wagner is a liability in coverage, and not just against running backs.

No. 54 has also looked lost against tight ends, particularly when Tucker Kraft got free for 57 yards during Week 2's defeat to the Green Bay Packers.

Isolating Wagner is now an easy route to chunk plays, but the burden of responsibility doesn't belong entirely with the six-time All-Pro.

Scheme and personnel hurting are Commanders' veteran Bobby Wagner

Still playing man coverage without the athletes to plaster receivers isn't on Wagner. That's on head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Frankie Luvu, struggling under the weight of an expanded and more complex role, isn't on Wagner. Nor is the lack of playing time for younger, lighter, and more athletic linebackers, such as Jordan Magee and Kain Medrano.

Increasing the speed on the field is how the Commanders can help Wagner, allowing Quinn and Whitt to hide the player's growing weakness while still accentuating his strengths.

Those strengths are familiar. Wagner remains a thumper against the run, particularly in the guard-center-guard box. He's a force in a phone booth who can also get downhill in a hurry on the blitz, but what he can't do is perform as well running laterally or backwards.

The Commanders must devise ways to limit Wagner's coverage assignments or, at the very least, better protect them. It might mean doubling up in certain matchups or having him drop to a spot in a zone shell more often.

Without those tweaks, a key leader will continue to look finished as a valuable on-field contributor.